US envoy on Darfur visits Rwanda, Sudan, Qatar

New York, US (PANA) - US Senior Adviser on Darfur, Ambassador Dane Smith, Wednesday began a three-nation visit to support international efforts to end the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region.

A US State Department statement, made available to PANA in New York on Thursday, said: "Ambassador Smith will first visit Kigali, where he will meet with Rwandan government officials to thank them for their support to the UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and discuss other peacekeeping issues in Darfur."

It stated that the envoy will then travel to Doha, Qatar, to encourage the Sudanese government and Darfuri armed movements to make progress on political talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire and negotiated settlement to the conflict.

"It is hope of the US government that the talks in Qatar will lead to improvements in the security and humanitarian situation in Darfur,'' it noted.

"Finally, Ambassador Smith will travel to Sudan to promote peace and security in Darfur.

"He will also visit several internally displaced persons' camps to emphasize the need for Sudan to allow unrestricted access to UNAMID and humanitarian agencies in order to protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance to people in need,'' the statement said.

"This will be his fourth trip to Darfur in the past four months,'' it added.
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